Community Meeting Agenda 3/26/15

The next Walnut Hill Community Association meeting will be held on Thursday, March 26 at the Enterprise Center starting at 6pm. Please join us for updates and conversation on our local community. We will also be discussing elections for this year's WHCA Board.

2015 Neighborhood Plan Update

The last Walnut Hill Community Association meeting included an update on the 2015 Neighborhood Plan with breakout planning sessions among neighborhood residents. The update was led by David Levin and Beth McGinsky from the Enterprise Center, along with WHCA's President, Horace Patterson. For a look at the presentation and census figures, see the document below.

Residents will have the opportunity to shape Walnut Hill's new neighborhood plan in the coming weeks and months. The next community meeting focusing on this topic will be Thursday, April 23, 2015.

Philadelphia Orchestra at Lea Elementary

The Philadelphia Orchestra is coming to Lea Elementary on March 16! All residents are welcome to attend.

West Philadelphia Skills Initiative

Now recruiting landscapers for job opportunities and training in West Philadelphia!

Do you enjoy active outdoor work? Want to learn more about planting and maintaining flowers and trees? If so, then the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) wants you! WPSI is partnering with the area’s largest employers to help motivated West Philadelphians obtain the training and experience to gain full time employment in their own community.

This 12-week training program is tailored to West Philadelphians who want to build their career in landscape maintenance and groundskeeping. While training with WPSI, performance-based stipends are awarded for successful classroom performance and on-the-job training!

Through March 13th, applications are being accepted for this training session. To submit your application online, please click here.

Connect to Success participants will enjoy:

Preferential candidate status with our employer partner

12 weeks of on-the-job and classroom-based training

Performance-based stipends for successful classroom performance

Professional development that will help you build your career

Financial education and more!

To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

Have a high school diploma or GED

Be currently unemployed

Be a resident of West Philadelphia (defined by zip codes 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, 19151)

There will be another update meeting regarding the Public Safety Services Campus, home to the new Police Headquarters, Public Health Laboratories, and the Medical Examiner's Office and Morgue, on February 19 at the Enterprise Center.

Join the Enterprise Center's Community Leaders!

The Enterprise Center is currently accepting application for the 2015 Community Leaders program. Applications are due on February 24th. This is a great opportunity for residents interested in developing professional skills and getting experience in community outreach!

Welcome to Walnut Hill Community, Mardia spoke of her appreciation and some of her accomplishments and gratefulness to be part of this community. She explained that house calls could be made for the elderly.

The City of Philadelphia with the Department of Public Property, Philadelphia Police Department, and Philadelphia of Public Health is transforming 4601 Market Street into the Public Services Campus.

Critical city functions such as Police Administration, Public Health Laboratories, Medical Examiner’s Office and Morgue will be part of the campus adjacent to the New Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center.

Zoning Committee met with developer that owes the land at the SW corner of 47th and Chestnut Street.

The developer also owns all the adjacent apartment building on the south side of Chestnut Street. Wants to build an apartment complex on the empty corner lot.

Waiting for variance to build 4’6” into the public airspace above the sidewalk on 47th Street. Request was made for window changes to match what is already present. Change the design for more neighborhood lighting on the streets. The developer has agreed to these request. A public meeting to present the project will be scheduled in the near future, and notices will go out to all nearby residents.

Membership Chair: Andrea Maxwell

Welcome: Three new Members joined WHCA

52nd Street Corridor Update: President, Horace Patterson

52nd Street Corridor, Working on lighting, trees, and cameras. P.P.A painting project is still in place.

Open Community concerns

Unable to make left turns off Market Street.

Open lot at 46th and Market Street area should be fenced in. Cut down on crime.

Parking lot behind the Car Wash on Ludlow is being used as a dumping ground.

Speed of traffic on Chestnut St. is dangerous and lack of bike lanes are a concern

Presidents Report: Horace Patterson

Fact Sheets regarding Public Safety Service Campus Horace will attend a meeting with the Philadelphia School District with concern of Charter School in the Old WPHS.

All community groups are not in favor of Charter School in the area. Cedar Park, Spruce Hill, Garden Court & WHCA.

Without the support of community participation this project will not take place.

Tribute to Former President of WHCA: Earl Williams in his untimely passing.

Next meeting on Thursday, 2/26 6pm at the Enterprise Center

Snow Emergency Declared 1/26/15

A snow emergency has been declared in the city beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday. If you parked your car on any of the snow emergency routes, please move it before 6 p.m.. Here are snow emergency routes in West Philadelphia:• Chestnut Street from Cobbs Creek Parkway to 20th Street• Walnut Street from Broad Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway• Woodland Avenue from Cobbs Creek Parkway to University Avenue• 34th Street from University Avenue to Grays Ferry Avenue• 38th Street from Walnut to University Avenue• 63rd Street from City Avenue to Walnut Street• University Avenue from 38th Street to 34th Street• Island Avenue from Woodland Avenue to Enterprise Avenue• Cobbs Creek Parkway from Walnut Street to Woodland Avenue• Schuylkill Avenue from Market Street to Walnut StreetIf your vehicle remains on one of these streets it will be ticketed and towed. If your car is towed, call 215-686-SNOW to find out where it was taken.The city has also cancelled trash and recycling pick-up on Tuesday. If your trash collection day is Tuesday please keep your trash and recyclables until next Tuesday.

source: http://www.westphillylocal.com/

Crime & Safety Notice 1/25/15

A senior Philadelphia police officer has notified Walnut Hill residents to be careful of anyone approaching you in the parking lot of Walmart, Home Deport, or other major retail stores with perfume samples. These samples may contain substances intended to make you pass out, so the perpetrator can rob you of your belongings or cause you bodily harm. Please pass this notice along to your friends, family, and neighbors.

- WHCA Crime & Safety Committee

Public Safety Services Campus

Stay up to date on the latest news regarding the development of the Public Safety Services Campus at 4601 Market Street in Walnut Hill. Information can be found at pssc.phila.gov. Below is a copy of the public fact sheet. Future public meetings will be shared here on our website.

West Philly "Going Beyond 'the Dream'" MLK Event

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 21st at West Philadelphia High School, 49th and Chestnut streets.

The "Day of Consciousness Raising: Going Beyond 'the Dream'" program will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, after a coffee reception from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The event is sponsored by the West Philadelphia High School student government and the 188th Legislative District Education Committee.

The event will feature a panel discussion with students and alumni of the school and guests, including Jim Roebuck and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. It will also include performances by students.

Come and hear students and community members share their views on how to move our neighborhood forward.

For more information, please call Jim Roebuck's office at 215-724-2227.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Walnut Hill Community Association wishes health and happiness to you and your family!

Walnut Hill Holiday Celebration for the Young at Heart - Thur., 12/18, 3-5pm

Walnut Hill would like to give away gifts to about 150 children on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Max Paul Farm (4610 Market Street) from 3-5 pmACTIVITIES INCLUDE:·Santa·Photos·Christmas Community Video·Christmas Tree·Gifts for the little ones·Sweets·Treats·Lights·Heat

Next WHCA Community Meeting - Thursday 1/22/2015 @ 6pm

The meeting will take place at The Enterprise Center (4528 Market Street). The meeting is open to all residents of the community, whether or not you are a member of WHCA.

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY MEETING - Thursday 12/11/14 at 6pm

MEETING LOCATION: West Philadelphia High School (4901 Chestnut St)This is a community meeting hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison regarding the Public Safety Services Center (PSSC) which will house the new Police Headquarters, Medical Examiner’s Office and the Morgue, and the Department of Public Health Laboratories. Construction is beginning this month and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Members of the community should attend the meeting to learn more about the project, ask questions or raise concerns. (Click here for Mayor Nutter's press release for more info on the PSSC)

Halloween Farm Fare - Thursday October 30th 4-7pm

LOCATION: 4700 Block of Walnut Street in front of Old West Philadelphia High SchoolCome out to celebrate our community and meet your neighbors!

2014 Community Appreciation GREEN SPACE Party

Saturday, 7/26/14 - Our first annual Community Appreciation Green Space party took place on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with hundreds of neighbors in attendance to help us celebrate. Premium burgers and hot dogs were provided and made possible by the WHCA, The Enterprise Center CDC, UC Green, and Max Paul Toyota.

﻿We need VOLUNTEERS!﻿

Posted July 11th, 2014 We are a volunteer organization. In the recent years, there has been a decrease of volunteers in our organization for many reasons including volunteers moving out of the neighborhood. We are in great need of new volunteers to help improve and advocate for our community.

How you can help: - Join a committee · We have a number of inactive committees due to the lack of volunteers - Become a block representative Volunteer Information Sessions: We are looking for neighbors to volunteer their time to help make positive changes in our community. Volunteer information sessions for those interested in getting involved will be on the following dates: · July 28th at 6:30 PM · August 2nd at 10:00 AM · August 12th at 5:30 PM All info sessions will be hosted at The Enterprise Center, 4548 Market Street

The object and purpose of the Walnut Hill Community Association shall be to improve and maintain the neighborhood standards in matters concerning safety, sanitation, health, education, recreation, cultural and family stability; and to stimulate interest in the community by beautifying and maintaining vacant lots.